America is reducing military and economic aid to Latin American countries that Washington wants help from in the fight against global terrorism and drug trafficking. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice describes these aid cuts as “sort of the same as shooting ourselves in the foot.” We couldn't agree more.

Like the fabled boxer Archie Moore, I deplore the N-word and abhor its use. But the word appeared in The San Diego Union-Tribune in what was thought to be appropriate context, prompting protests from three students at LEADS High School, the leadership academy that is part of the San Diego High Educational Complex.